Nine African teams into U-17 World Cup last 32 as all-African duels headline draw

Nine African sides have advanced to the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, with two intra-African ties guaranteeing at least two quarter-final contenders from the continent. 

Zambia face Mali and Senegal meet Uganda in Friday–Saturday’s first knockout matches, while Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia take on European, Asian and North American opposition.

All kick-off times below are local (Qatar).

All-African ties

• Zambia v Mali – Fri 14 Nov, 15:30, Pitch 8 (Mahmoud Soufi Stadium)
  A heavyweight contest between two familiar African rivals opens the round. Zambia’s attacking edge meets Mali’s tournament know-how in a clash that will send one African side into the last 16.

• Senegal v Uganda – Sat 15 Nov, 15:30, Pitch 7 (Mansour Muftah Stadium)
  Group winners Senegal, inspired by a free-scoring frontline, face a disciplined Uganda who battled through a tight group. Expect high intensity and set-piece intrigue.

The other African assignments

• Switzerland v Egypt – Fri 14 Nov, 16:00, Pitch 5 (Khaled Ballan Stadium)
  Egypt carry Africa’s hopes in a European test against compact Switzerland. The young Pharaohs’ transition speed will be key against Swiss organisation.

• USA v Morocco – Fri 14 Nov, 18:45, Pitch 7 (Mansour Muftah Stadium)
  Hosts of AFCON 2025 at senior level, Morocco’s U-17s now seek a statement win against a well-drilled USA. Defensive concentration will be crucial against American pressing.

• Japan v South Africa – Sat 15 Nov, 16:30, Pitch 3 (Bader Bilal Stadium)
  South Africa’s resilience is rewarded with a meeting against Japan’s technical, high-tempo side. Bafana Bafana’s counter-attacking threat could decide it.

• Germany v Burkina Faso – Sat 15 Nov, 17:45, Pitch 2 (Ibrahim Khalfan Stadium)
  Burkina Faso earned their knockout berth with grit and big-moment goals. Germany provide elite opposition, but the Stallions have shown they can disrupt favourites.

• Austria v Tunisia – Sat 15 Nov, 18:45, Pitch 5 (Khaled Ballan Stadium)
  Tunisia must unlock a disciplined Austria in a matchup likely to hinge on fine margins. Game management and set pieces look pivotal.

Why it matters for Africa

With nine representatives in the last 32 and two all-African fixtures, the continent is guaranteed at least two teams in the Round of 16.

The bracket also offers opportunities for further progress should Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Tunisia navigate their varied tests against European and Asian opponents.

The knockout phase follows a performance-based seeding from the group stage.

Teams from the same group cannot meet in this round; where necessary, fixtures are adjusted to avoid repeats.

The winners advance to the last 16 as the race to Doha’s final accelerates.